Firefighters approach the scene of a commercial structure fire at 1957 Sutherland Avenue; image by KFD

Last evening, the Knox County Emergency Communications District received a 911 call reporting significant smoke emanating from a building located on Sutherland Avenue, near Donald Lee Erickson Avenue. The Knoxville Fire Department (KFD) responded promptly, with the first units arriving at the scene to discover an active fire originating from the rear of the business situated at 1957 Sutherland Avenue.

KFD personnel acted swiftly, gaining entry to the structure and managing to extinguish the fire within just 10 minutes of their arrival. Fortunately, there were no injuries reported, as the building was unoccupied at the time of the incident. However, the property did sustain moderate damage from smoke, fire, and water due to firefighting efforts.

Firefighters work the scene of a commercial structure fire at 1957 Sutherland Avenue; image by KFD

The affected building lacked both a sprinkler system and fire alarms, which may have contributed to the extent of the damage. The Knoxville Fire Department's Fire Investigations Unit has been dispatched to the scene to investigate and determine the cause of the fire.

This incident marks the first working structure fire recorded by the Knoxville Fire Department in 2026. The KFD remains committed to ensuring public safety and will continue to assess and respond to emergency situations within the community. Further updates regarding the investigation and any safety recommendations for local businesses may be forthcoming as the situation develops.